Chapter 9

Junior Brother! Zhao Gongming hurried forward and lowered his voice. "Do not act rashly. That Great Golden Crow must be plotting something."

Tai Cang naturally understood the stakes, but he could not suppress his curiosity. After a brief consideration, he still decided to investigate.

Glancing at Sect Master Tongtian, Di Jun, and the others chatting merrily, Tai Cang whispered to Zhao Gongming, "Senior Brother, please cover for me."

With that, he cupped his hands toward those at the head table and quickly left his seat.

Junior Brother! Zhao Gongming called out anxiously. Seeing that Tai Cang had already made up his mind, he could only sit back down with a worried expression. If Tai Cang failed to return before the banquet ended, the consequences would be difficult to predict.

Outside the hall, Tai Cang looked around for any sign of Di Yi.

"So you came after all." Di Yi's voice suddenly rang out. "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, you have truly exceeded my expectations."

"I thought all disciples of Saints were rule-abiding people. I never expected you to be so free-spirited."

Following the voice, Tai Cang saw Di Yi sitting leisurely beside a stone table, raising his cup in invitation.

Tai Cang silently pondered his intentions, but showed nothing on his face. He stepped forward and bowed. "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. May I ask why you invited me here?"

"Simple." Di Yi lightly swirled his wine cup. "I wish to spar with you."

"It has nothing to do with a contest between our two sects. I merely wish to witness the strength of an outstanding Jie Sect disciple."

"A spar?" Tai Cang raised a brow. "Would it not be better to wait until the official competition?"

"Why must you be in such a hurry?"

Di Yi gently shook his head, his expression calm. "Only my tenth brother, Lu Ya, will participate in this match. He is at the Great Perfection of the Golden Immortal realm, comparable to all of you."

"Other than Lu Ya, my other nine brothers have all broken through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. If we fought you, there would be no suspense at all, and Father Emperor would not permit us to take action."

So that was it!

A gleam flashed through Tai Cang's eyes, and he immediately understood the reason.

The Jie Sect immortals were not being looked down upon. Their strength truly fell short of the Golden Crow Princes. However, Sect Master Tongtian had a request for the demon race, and Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi could not let him leave empty-handed. Thus, they had arranged for the youngest Golden Crow, Lu Ya, to serve as the opponent for the Jie Sect cultivators.

After understanding the situation, Tai Cang's expression changed sharply.

The reason was simple—the system mission required him to defeat the Ten Golden Crows. If Lu Ya were his only opponent, would he not be unable to complete the task needed to unlock the privilege?

No!

He had to unlock the privilege!

Tai Cang looked firmly at Di Yi. "I am willing to spar with you, Fellow Daoist, but I have one condition."

"Oh? Let's hear it." Di Yi asked with interest. "If it is Sun Moon Essence, then regardless of victory or defeat, I can give it to you. Such things are everywhere in my clan and are not worth mentioning."

Tai Cang's mouth twitched slightly at his words.

Di Yi was quite skilled at putting on airs. He had a bit of the bearing of those business tycoons from Tai Cang's previous life.

"It is not for that."

Taking a deep breath, Tai Cang suppressed his displeasure. "I hope to spar with each of the Ten Golden Crow Princes in turn. Furthermore, I cultivate the sword path, yet I lack a suitable dharma artifact. I wish to request a section of Fusang Tree branch."

As he spoke, his gaze turned toward the towering ancient tree in the distance.

As an innate spiritual root, the branches of the Fusang Tree were peerless materials for artifact forging, enough to create weapons at the level of acquired Lingbao.

"A Fusang Tree branch?"

"You want to challenge all ten of us brothers?"

Di Yi looked Tai Cang over in surprise, his smile widening. "Fine! I agree."

"I knew I had not misjudged you. You are the most outstanding disciple of Jie Sect."

"A mere Golden Immortal dares to face Grand Unity Golden Immortals and even challenge all ten of us brothers. No matter what, such courage deserves respect."

"Come with me. I will take you to retrieve Fusang wood."

Di Yi rose and led the way toward the Fusang Tree.

It worked!

Tai Cang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed.

The two soon arrived at the courtyard where the Fusang Tree stood.

"Big Brother!"

"Big Brother!"

Amid a chorus of calls, nine young men who resembled Di Yi approached them. The first eight exuded the aura of Grand Unity Golden Immortals, while only the last remained at the Great Perfection of the Golden Immortal realm.

"My brothers!"

Di Yi laughed heartily and embraced his brothers. Then he pointed at Tai Cang. "This Fellow Daoist Tai Cang has not only accepted the challenge, but also wishes to fight each of our ten brothers in turn."

"What?"

"Fight us?"

The Golden Crows all turned to Tai Cang, their faces lighting up with excitement. "Wonderful! We were just worried that we would not get a chance to act!"

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Tai Cang. We will definitely show mercy."

"Excellent. For all these years, we brothers have only sparred among ourselves. None of those outside dared fight us, so it has been terribly dull."

Listening to the Golden Crows, Tai Cang fell into thought.

He realized that he might have misunderstood the Ten Golden Crows. They were clearly simple-minded beings with no hidden schemes. His prejudice, born from later legends of the Golden Crows burning the primordial world, now seemed somewhat laughable. Even if they might one day do such things, at least at this moment, they were not bloodthirsty people.

With that thought, Tai Cang cupped his hands. "Tai Cang of Jie Sect greets all the Golden Crow Princes."

"There is no need for such formality, Fellow Daoist Tai Cang." Di Yi laughed openly, then turned to Lu Ya. "Little Ten, fetch a section of Fusang Tree branch for Fellow Daoist Tai Cang. It seems he needs it."

"Understood, Big Brother!" Without another word, Lu Ya transformed into his Three-legged Golden Crow true form, spread his wings, and flew toward the Fusang Tree. He used his claws to snap off a branch.

The Golden Crow returned with the branch, handed it to Di Yi, and resumed his human form. "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, is this enough? If not, I can fetch more."

"It is more than enough!" Tai Cang looked at the branch several zhang long before him. Let alone forging one sword, it would be enough for dozens.

What incredible generosity! Tai Cang marveled inwardly. After cutting off a portion of the branch, he said to Di Yi and the others, "Please wait a moment."

He immediately used the Primordial Clarity Artifact Forging Technique. Flames enveloped the branch and melted it into liquid, which gradually took shape under the control of his magic power. With a hum, a wooden sword at the level of a top-grade acquired Lingbao was born.

Tai Cang bit the tip of his tongue and sprayed a mouthful of essence blood onto the sword, completing its refinement. He tested its feel and was quite satisfied, failing to notice the longing glinting in the Golden Crows' eyes beside him.

"We can begin now," Tai Cang said, sheathing his sword.

Yet Di Yi and the others exchanged glances and hesitantly spoke. "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, we have an unkind request..."

"What is it?" Tai Cang looked at the suddenly bashful Golden Crow Princes in confusion.

Di Yi stepped forward. "Your artifact-forging method just now was exquisite. Could you teach it to us? Although we possess quite a few innate Lingbao, it is difficult to bring out their full power. In contrast, the acquired Lingbao you forged seems much easier to wield."

Tai Cang's eyelid twitched as he inwardly sighed, This is practically showing off! Innate Lingbao are inferior to acquired Lingbao? If you do not want them, give them to me!

Suppressing his frustration, he said solemnly, "This is a secret artifact-forging technique passed down by my Second Martial Uncle. Forgive me, but I cannot pass it on."

"If you are interested, Fellow Daoists, simply prepare the materials, and I am willing to forge acquired Lingbao for you."

"Then it is settled!"

The Ten Golden Crows were overjoyed and readily agreed.

They understood perfectly well that this artifact-forging technique came from the Primordial Clarity lineage. Tai Cang was already fortunate to be able to learn it; how could outsiders covet it?

Thinking this, the Golden Crows impatiently said, "Then let us begin at once."

As they spoke, several Golden Crows turned to retrieve artifact-forging materials.

"Wait!"

Tai Cang hurriedly stopped them. "Fellow Daoists, artifact forging can be done at any time. Why not finish our sparring match first?"

He thought to himself, These Golden Crow Princes are already Grand Unity Golden Immortals. If they were equipped with acquired Lingbao forged by me as well, would they not become even harder to deal with? It is not that I fear losing, but for the One-Click Max Level Privilege, I must win this match.

"Very well."

Di Yi and the other Golden Crow Princes exchanged looks and nodded. They did not think much about victory or defeat. After all, in their eyes, Tai Cang, a mere Golden Immortal at Great Perfection, could not possibly be their match.

Di Yi turned to Lu Ya. "Little Ten, you go."

"Yes, Big Brother!"

Lu Ya stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Tai Cang. "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, please enlighten me."

Tai Cang gripped his wooden sword and lightly lowered its tip, signaling for him to begin.

Solar True Fire: Edict!

Without hesitation, Lu Ya formed hand seals. Blazing flames took the shape of Golden Crows and flapped their wings as they rushed toward Tai Cang.

The searing heat instantly engulfed the entire area, and fine beads of sweat appeared on Tai Cang's forehead.

What tyrannical Solar True Fire!

Tai Cang's expression grew grave. With a turn of his wrist, his wooden sword drew streaks of azure light. Shangqing Sword Qi tore through the air and collided with the fire crows in midair.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The flames exploded like blooming fireworks, dyeing the entire sky red.

The remaining sword qi did not lose momentum and shot directly toward Lu Ya.

This...

Lu Ya froze for a moment. The instant they exchanged blows, he sensed the gap between them. Both were at the Great Perfection of the Golden Immortal realm, yet Tai Cang's sword intent was so sharp that it made his heart tremble.

"Little Ten, be careful!"

"Dodge!"

Di Yi and the other Golden Crows shouted warnings.

Lu Ya suddenly came to his senses. His body blurred as he used the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique, barely evading the attack.

The sword qi struck the ground, sending dust flying into the sky.

What an excellent Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique!

Tai Cang praised it inwardly. This foremost escape technique of the primordial world truly lived up to its reputation.

But he did not stop. His wooden sword swung repeatedly, and sword qi spread like a net, sealing off every route of escape for Lu Ya.

"Too fast!"

Sword light tore through the air. A trace of shock flashed in Lu Ya's eyes as he hurriedly dodged sideways, while simultaneously urging Solar True Fire into Golden Crows that attacked Tai Cang from every direction.

In an instant, sword qi and blazing flames intertwined as Tai Cang and Lu Ya's fierce battle officially began.

Rumble—

Rumble—

Amid the deafening blasts, Tongtian, Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the other top experts in the Sun Palace all sensed the disturbance.

"What is going on?"

Di Jun, who had been raising a cup in drink, frowned, his expression darkening slightly. They were currently hosting Tongtian, yet the Golden Crow Princes had caused such a commotion. It was truly improper.

"Someone!"

Just as Di Jun was about to order the Golden Crow Princes reprimanded, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi interrupted him. "Big Brother! Little Ten is fighting a Jie Sect disciple!"

"What!"

"Fighting a Jie Sect disciple!"

Di Jun's pupils contracted slightly. His divine sense swept over the rear courtyard, and he then turned apologetically toward Tongtian. "Forgive me, Fellow Daoist Tongtian. My son is unruly."

With their realms, they could grasp the entire sequence of events in a single thought. Naturally, they already understood Di Yi's challenge to Tai Cang.

"It is nothing!"

Tongtian waved his hand with a smile. "I came here precisely to test the strength of my disciples against the Golden Crow Princes. Since it has already begun, why not watch and see what happens?"

With that, he flicked his sleeve.

As his magic power flowed, moisture within the hall condensed into a mirror, clearly displaying the battle between Tai Cang and Lu Ya in the rear courtyard.

"It is Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

"He is fighting a Golden Crow Prince!"

The Jie Sect immortals murmured in surprise, their gazes fixed on the mirror as their expressions gradually turned solemn. They could clearly sense that the power displayed by both Tai Cang and Lu Ya far exceeded their own.

Especially that all-encompassing Solar True Fire—even from so far away, they could still feel its scorching heat.

"This disciple of yours is quite impressive, Fellow Daoist Tongtian."

Di Jun watched the battle in the mirror and sincerely praised him. "This exquisite swordsmanship carries much of your style from back then."

The corners of Tongtian's lips lifted slightly. He was greatly satisfied with Tai Cang's mastery of the Shangqing Sword Art. More importantly, he had already noticed that the other Golden Crow Princes had all reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. Only Tai Cang might stand a chance against them.

If Tai Cang lost to the Ten Golden Crows, Jie Sect would likely return empty-handed this time.

At that thought, Tongtian smiled. "The Demon Emperor's son is equally extraordinary. At such a young age, he already controls Solar True Fire with such mastery. That is truly rare."

"And he is still the weakest of the Golden Crow Princes. The other nine have already reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, so their attainments in the fire path must surely be even deeper."